Search result for Emily Houck and Madelaine Braggs

ESA program added almost 50,000 students in the past year, state reports

WASHINGTON – The state added nearly 12,000 students to the Empowerment Scholarship Account program in the last quarter, bringing total enrollment to 61,689 at the end of June and renewing debates about the costs and benefits of the program.


What’s next in art? Da Vinci digital exhibit in Scottsdale example of growing trend

SCOTTSDALE – The Lighthouse Artspace Phoenix in Scottsdale has extended its run of “Leonardo: The Universal Man exhibit,” a 360-degree immersive art experience that uses music, narration and video. But the show is just the latest in a string of similar experiences. An ASU art history professor says this kind of projection mapping is art's next big trend.

The “Leonardo: The Universal Man” exhibit at Lighthouse Artspace Phoenix in Scottsdale debuted in March and was originally scheduled to run through June, but it will likely extend into July, a spokesman said. (Photo by Evelin Ruelas/Cronkite News)

Animals at Phoenix Zoo stay cool with frozen treats, baths, misters and air conditioning

PHOENIX – As summer temperatures soar, Phoenix Zoo officials try to keep the animals cool by providing frozen treats – from Gatorade to blood and fish popsicles – to cool baths, misters and fans.

Indu, a 57-year old Asian elephant, enjoys a frozen treat and bath at the Phoenix Zoo. (Photo by Evelin Ruelas/Cronkite News)

Proposed Arizona legislation would protect access to birth control

PHOENIX — On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, Democratic leaders vowed to preserve access to contraceptives for all Arizonians. Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe, said she plans to introduce a bill during the next legislative session that would assure access to birth control. Gov. Katie Hobbs joined Salman and others at a press conference Thursday to discuss the proposed Arizona Right to Contraception Act.

Gov. Katie Hobbs says she supports a proposed Arizona Right to Contraception Act. (File photo by Emily Mai/Cronkite News)

Eating disorders marked by diagnosis, treatment gap for men, women of color

PHOENIX – Mental health experts are finding it harder to diagnose eating disorders in men because of the lack of clinical research.

(Illustration by Emily Mai/Cronkite News)

Arizona’s veterinary medicine grads aid shortfall of vets in nation, state

GLENDALE – Arizona’s veterinary loan assistance program will repay up to $100,000 in loans for graduates who have practiced in the state for four years. Midwestern University and the University of Arizona hope to graduate more veterinary medicine students to fill the vet shortage.


Phoenix turns to residents to come up with innovative solutions for providing chilled drinking water in public places

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Office of Innovation partnered with Venture Café to host the first Innovation Challenge. Five teams competed to come up with innovative solutions to provide chilled, drinking water to public places.

The judges decide a winner of Phoenix's Innovation Challenge on April 6, 2023. (Photo by Gianna Abdallah/Cronkite News)

As heat-related deaths soar in Arizona, cities, businesses and environmental activists launch tree-planting initiatives

PHOENIX – Deaths related to heat have soared in recent years in Arizona. Several cities, businesses and environmental groups believe that planting trees should be part of the solution.

The blue palo verde is Arizona's state tree. Several are shown in a neighborhood in North Phoenix. (Photo by Emily Mai/Cronkite News)

Nowruz celebration hails women fighting for their rights in Iran and Afghanistan

PHOENIX – Nowruz, the Persian new year, was celebrated with an event in Phoenix this month that also commemorated women’s rights movements in the Middle East. Event organizers honored women who are advocating for their rights in Iran and Afghanistan.

Taiba Hussain showcases clothes and jewelry at the Nowruz Phoenix celebration on March 18, 2023. (Photo by Paula Soria/Cronkite News)

Navajo artist’s work featured on skateboard Forever Stamp

GLENDALE – The U.S. Postal Service unveiled the skateboard Forever Stamps to celebrate the community and culture the sport creates. It brought on Indigenous artists to design the stamps, one of whom was Arizona native and Navajo artist Di’Orr Greenwood.


Storytellers say LA River can become tool against climate change

LOS ANGELES – In Los Angeles' Frogtown, eco-minded activists gathered around at the local brewery to hear storytellers share their personal connection to the Los Angeles River, a once thriving and unifying water source for the people and wildlife was lined with concrete and fenced in 1938.

The LA River story slam was held at the Frogtown Brewery. Guests were encouraged to shop, eat and drink. In the back were a frog-themed taco food truck and an “artist's alley.” It included art from Margaret Gallagher, Kris Mukai, Nova Community Arts and Emily Wallerstein. (Photo by Ayana Hamilton/Cronkite News)

‘Broadcast legend’ Pat McMahon of ‘Wallace and Ladmo’ still a Phoenix TV icon

PHOENIX – For over three decades, Pat McMahon brought joy to children across the greater Phoenix area on KPHO’s hit TV kid’s program, “The Wallace and Ladmo Show.”

Pat McMahon records an ad in the AZTV7 studio to be broadcast on the “Arizona Daily Mix” morning show. Photo taken in Phoenix on March 22, 2023. (Photo by Emily Mai/Cronkite News)